The purpose of Luzerne County Specialty Court, like any other Mental Health Court / Specialty Court, is to link mentally offenders who would ordinarily be prison-bound to long-term community-based treatment. They rely on thorough mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing judicial monitoring to address both the mental health need of the offenders and public safety concerns of the community.
The client monitoring is accomplished through a team approach including comprehensive supervision, mental health counseling, medications treatment services, and immediate sanctions and incentives. Currently, there are over 160 mental health specialty courts across the country, and more are being planned.